Islamabad, July 4, 2024 – A devastating bomb attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northern Pakistan claimed the lives of five people, including former senator Hedayetullah Khan, while he was campaigning. The attack occurred on Wednesday, according to local police.

Hedayetullah Khan, a former senator elected from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the Awami National Party (ANP) before joining Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), was targeted in the Bajur tribal district bordering Afghanistan.

Police officer Bakh Munir confirmed that the bombing was a remote-controlled explosion targeting Khan's car. Anwarul Haque, another police official, indicated that the bomb was a hand-made explosive device. The attack happened while Khan was engaged in his election campaign.

The Pakistan Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has denied any involvement in the attack. The TTP is a faction of Islamist and sectarian militants operating in the region.

Bajur is one of several tribal districts along the Afghanistan border, known for being outside the central government's control and serving as a safe haven for Islamist militants. These militants frequently carry out attacks on both sides of the border.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing in a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated the government's commitment to combating terrorism.

The attack underscores the ongoing instability and militant activity in the region, posing significant challenges to both local and national authorities in ensuring security and maintaining order.